Otterthal: Hiking in the Feistritz Valley
Accommodation in Otterthal
Otterthal lies right in the Feistritz Valley at the foot of the Vienna Alps. Gentle hills, lush green meadows and dense forests characterise the surrounding area. Numerous hiking trails wind through this landscape around the village. For ambitious hikers, routes from Otterthal lead to higher elevations in the Vienna Alps and offer panoramic views. The panoramic circular trail also offers views of the Otter and Rax mountains.
Hiking in and around Otterthal
When choosing a hike, you can first distinguish between trails around the village and routes to higher elevations. The Otterthal panoramic circular trail features numerous wayside shrines. It is a family-friendly autumn hike and offers views of the mountains, including the Otter and Rax. If you want to go hiking in autumn and take in both the scenery and the wayside shrines, this trail offers both.
The Otterthal Steps Trail follows a different set of landmarks. It heads east along the cycle path beside the Otterbach stream. It then follows turn-offs towards Goldberg and, at the chapel, into Hintergasse. The panoramic circular trail focuses on wayside shrines and views of the Otter and Rax; on the Steps Trail, the stream and the named turn-offs guide the way.
Getting there and practical information
To reach the Otterthal panoramic circular trail, take the SĂĽdbahn railway to Gloggnitz station, then bus no. 367 operated by Retter Linien to the Otterthal fire station. To walk the Steps Trail, take line 367 from Gloggnitz station to the Feuerwehr Otterthal stop; the walk starts there. Check the timetable before travelling. Free parking for the Otterthal panoramic circular trail is available at Otterthal Municipal Office.
Wittgenstein and local memorials
Ludwig Wittgenstein taught at a primary school in Otterthal from 1924 to 1926. He also wrote in Otterthal the last book to be printed during his lifetime. Plaques and lessons at the schools in Otterthal and Trattenbach commemorate Wittgenstein as a primary school teacher. These connections tell the story of both his teaching and his work, as well as how he is remembered in both places.
The Heroes’ Chapel commemorates the Otterthal soldiers who fell in the world wars. Alongside the connections to Wittgenstein, it provides another historical point of interest as you explore the village: it is about commemorating people from Otterthal, not the history of a particular hiking trail.
Whit Monday Fair
The Whit Monday Fair in Otterthal includes a morning social gathering. If you would like to include the fair in your travel plans, check the event dates in advance.
Discover more destinations: Trattenbach, Reichenau An Der Rax, Payerbach, Puchberg Am Schneeberg, Gloggnitz, Raach am Hochgebirge Municipality, Gasteil, Neuwald
Back to the main travel overview: Neunkirchen.
